The Question on Innocent Passage - Unclos - Article 19

Innocent Passage?

Below is the Article 19 that everyone especially those in command of power are using to perhaps confuse the issue at hand.

Article19

Meaning of innocent passage

1. Passage is innocent so long as it is not prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the coastal State. Such passage shall take place in conformity with this Convention and with other rules of international law.

2. Passage of a foreign ship shall be considered to be prejudicial to the peace, good order or security of the coastal State if in the territorial sea it engages in any of the following activities:

(a) any threat or use of force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of the coastal State, or in any other manner in violation of the principles of international law embodied in the Charter of the United Nations;

(b) any exercise or practice with weapons of any kind;

(c) any act aimed at collecting information to the prejudice of the defence or security of the coastal State;

(d) any act of propaganda aimed at affecting the defence or security of the coastal State;

(e) the launching, landing or taking on board of any aircraft;

(f) the launching, landing or taking on board of any military device;

(g) the loading or unloading of any commodity, currency or person contrary to the customs, fiscal, immigration or sanitary laws and regulations of the coastal State;

(h) any act of wilful and serious pollution contrary to this Convention;

(i) any fishing activities;

(j) the carrying out of research or survey activities;

(k) any act aimed at interfering with any systems of communication or any other facilities or installations of the coastal State;

(l) any other activity not having a direct bearing on passage.

 So we do not have to be a genius to know exactly what the truth is here!

Remember the issue is NOT FISHING! The issue is the sovereignty of our waters - no more no less!

So lets read the above article and digest it. The Spanish Para Military do not do innocent passage in our waters - they may pretend to be but all of us who live here in Gibraltar know what these para military are like! Let us remember the roots of these para military was by the facists leader General Franco!

If the passage was innocent it would not be by a country who  has a claim on our country - that is the first and paramount issue here - let us not forget whatSpain wants and what is her driving force!

The Guardia Civil have entered our waters to enforce jurisdiction - we have proof! 
The Guardia Civil have entered our waters stopping pleasure boats and even questioning bunkering ships in OUR waters! We have proof!
The Guardia Civil escort their Spanish Fishermen boats who use illegal fishing arts - not allowed in their own country - escort them in OUR WATERS - so that they can do the illegal fishing and be protected by these para military in OUR WATERS! We have plenty of proof!
The Guardia Civil enter OUR WATERS with weapons and are armed! We have proof!
The Guardia Civil have even arrested OUR  PEOPLE in OUR WATERS and dragged them to SPAIN and confiscated their legal fishing equipment!

The above are just a few recent examples!

We have had also the Spanish Royal Navy enter OUR WATERS with the biggest spanish flag they could have found and patrol OUR WATERS!

So my question to all of  you out there who read our blog - Would you accept this for your COUNTRY - I know the answer is a firm NO you would not!

So my question is how can anyone in UK Government or elsewhere in Europe or in the United Nations expect us to turn a blind eye? 

Although we are a small country - do not underestimate our passion and our rights! Join us and highlight how in our modern world there are still bigger countries like SPAIN being allowed to bully a smaller country only because of who they are - BRITISH PEOPLE living in their own land GIBRALTAR!

 We all need to stand up to the bully! There is no need even try to water down incurious as no matter what no one can say it is INNOCENT PASSAGE!

We all know this - all who live and work in GIBRALTAR! SO we invite Mr Cameron and Mr Hague and Mr Lidington and the EU committee to come and see for themselves - we  have enough proof to show the whole world!

Do your job and protect the sovereignty of Gibraltar and do what is right to the people of Gibraltar! We are 30,000 citizens - no oil but more passion and pride than anyone could ever find!

Anne-Marie Struggles